A DORSET teacher stranded on San Cristóbal Island in the Galápagos Islands is running 50k in one day to raise money for a local resident battling cancer.

Ross Collings, a teacher from Wimborne, has been stuck on the island with his partner Charlotte Butterworth since January due to lockdown restrictions.

Despite having to stay on an unfamiliar island for longer than anticipated, Ross and Charlotte have become friends with some of the locals, which is how they came to learn of their friend's brother David battling throat cancer.

Ross explained: "Our friend explained David's situation. He is a lifelong waterman, who has based his livelihood around the ocean as a dive instructor and surfer, and he has been informed that after this operation he will no longer be able to dive. Over here, you have to fund treatment and recovery as they do not have the same health care system as us.

"50k is quite a challenge, but I wanted to aim as high as possible. I want to be able to help as they have all given such amazing support to us."

The current curfew on San Cristóbal is 2pm, implemented on the third day of lockdown, with residents only permitted to leave their homes between 5am and 2pm.

For Ross and Charlotte, this has been "very restricting" and challenging to find things to do as everything is closed.

Notwithstanding the challenges of lockdown in a foreign country, Ross is keen to help: "There is a real community feel here. By staying in, you are making that difference by sticking to the lockdown rules. You are one of the 7,000 residents making a difference."

Ross plans on beginning his run, which will take place across a 2k strip of land, as early as 5am to avoid getting caught in the sweltering late morning heat.

He said: "I am going to keep running up and down the road and run the 50k all in one go. Prior to the lockdown, I was not a runner and never ran before so this is a new challenge.

"I am super excited as I like challenges and thrive on them. The support has been overwhelming, I raised £190 of my £200 target on the first day."

Ross hopes to raise £500 to help fund David's $20,000 operation.

He will be running either on Friday or Saturday depending on the weather.

To support Ross, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/thegalapagous50?utm_term=6nV6kzqQB